Re: To Ron

[Guest guest]

Dear Ron,

I'm re-reading your message and wanted to add a few things to what I wrote

before. I wold never say what you should do, so take the following very random

thoughts as just that, okay?

In addition to helping mobility, tremors, etc., Sinemet acts as a stimulant.

As such, it can greatly increase confusion, delusions, anxiety, agitation, etc.

That' s what it did to my mom, after being on 25/100 4X/day for 4+ years. Her

brain just couldn't take that much stimulation. She has done better on Provigil,

which doesn't affect the CNS in the same way, but aid salertness and muscle

movement. Although it like all these meds is strong, it's a " safer " drug for my

mom. Of course, Sinemet - and Pro, too, for that matter - have other effects I

didn't mention.

I'd think a lot of evaluating your mom depends on the dosages of her other

meds, when you give them, and details of what you're seeing. Are there any

contraindications? Does she seem " zoned out? " What's her alertness level? Do any

behaviors seem tied (within a few hours) to when you give the various meds?

What does her talking being not the greatest actually mean in action? Frequency

and fluency? What about her level of cognition? Does she know you? Have any

memory retrieval? What are you goals for her at this point? Are you in a

position to do some reasonable meds shifts to see what might happen? All those

questions the MD asks we can ask ourselves and each other as we investigate our

options.

Of course you want as much quality of life as possible, and while the disease

keeps carrying our loved ones away, we can be vigilant about meds and other

treatments - adjusting them when it seems we will get improvement without doing

harm. After LBD, I know much better what " a delicate balance " means!

Let's stay in touch.

Lin

Ron wrote:

Dear Courage and Lin,

I hope all is well.I was reading your posts and saw that you had both cut your

moms sinemet back at some point.Mom was origionally diagnosed with parkinsons

and she is all the way up to 25/250 pills 4 times a day.I also know the

drawbacks from it but it seems like thats the one pill that when its a minute

late she really gets antsy for it.She doesnt walk at all on her own with out

help and her life lately is sitting in her chair, getting help to the bathroom

and kitchen and help to bed.She still smiles and laughs at times but I wonder

how much quality of life she really has anymore.I was wondering about the damage

the sinemet may be doing, and if I were to cut it back from such a strong dose

what I should expect, her talking isnt the greatest and she cant write or put a

ring on her finger or small things like that.Im just wondering out loud I guess

if there is more quality of life to be given or if this is where we are and its

only down hill.II swear

by the aricept and seroquel and even the paxil as she hardly ever cries anymore

ore gets delusional, but I wonder about the sinemet.Just wondered about

everyones take on it.I hope all is well Ron

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